Clean Air Zone date finally set

Council ploughs on with move to impose central charging zone

BIRMINGHAM’S controversial Clean Air Zone (CAZ) is set to be launched on June 1 next year, the city council has finally announced.

Town hall chiefs confirmed the planned start date for the pollution-busting scheme following discussions with Government ministers.

The initiative will impose charges on vehicles which do not meet strict emissions criteria.

The CAZ, which has been the subject of a number of delays, has also attracted huge criticism, with claims it could hit businesses and low income residents.

Announcing the scheduled start date, Councillor Waseem Zaffar, cabinet member for transport and environment, said: “We have been working closely with officials at the Joint Air Quality Unit and ministers to agree a new launch date for the Governmentmandated Clean Air Zone.

“Poor air quality remains a public health risk and a Clean Air Zone provides the city with an effective tool for tackling this issue in the shortest possible time.

“The majority of drivers on Birmingham’s roads will not need to pay the daily charge but if you do then you may be eligible for an exemption or one of the financial incentives.

“So, I would encourage everyone to check the Brum Breathes website today.

“And everyone can still play a role in improving the air we all breathe by trying to reduce the number of shorter journeys we make by car every day.”

The scheme has previously suffered a number of delays because of issues with the Government’s vehicle checker and more recently Covid-19.

The CAZ will cover an area of the city inside the inner ring road (A4540 Middleway) and once upand-running will mean that the owners of the most polluting vehicles, which account for around a quarter of those on city roads, will need to pay a daily charge to drive into the zone.

Amid concern about the impact, the council has said it is offering a range of exemptions and financial incentives, with £35 million to help residents, city centre workers and businesses prepare for the launch.

Applications and expressions of interest are now open and more information is available at www. BrumBreathes.co.uk.